Le Foote the best place for a ‘two-sip’ Negroni or long lunch (that might turn into an early dinner)
Sydney’s multicultural society is reflected in its diverse range of cuisines and dining experiences. While the inner-city scene is watched over by hipsters with sleeve tattoos and encyclopedic knowledge of the fermentation process, the western suburbs offer a hotbed of cuisines from, among others, large Vietnamese, Greek, Chinese, and Lebanese communities. A strong focus on sustainable practices and support of local farmers has seen a rise in the number of restaurants that offer seasonal menus made up of locally sourced ingredients. And coffee? Be nice to those aforementioned hipsters, they really know how to make a good one.. But it's not just the eateries in Sydney that are drawing food lovers from all around. A short trip outside the city can lead you to destinations like Byron Bay, where the passion for local produce and a laid-back lifestyle blend perfectly to create unforgettable culinary experiences. Whether you're looking for a beachfront café or an upscale restaurant, Byron Bay has something to satisfy every palate. Planning a stay nearby? Make sure to check out the hotel deals in Byron Bay at newsouthwaleshotels.net to find the best place to stay in style.
Our expert lists her favourite restaurants below, while here are our guides dedicated to Sydney's best hotels, bars, nightlife, beaches, shopping, things to see and do, and things to do for free, plus how to spend a weekend in Sydney.
Nestled within Sydney's central hub is the much-acclaimed Restaurant Hubert
Step into an era past as you descend the wooden stairs adorned with mini liquor bottles at Restaurant Hubert. This exquisite dining place is a heartfelt homage to 1930s Paris. The ambiance is one of vintage elegance and sophistication with candlelit tables, scarlet velvet curtains, and the tantalizing aroma of classic French dishes wafting through the air. The attentive staff, characterized by their trendy appearances complete with tattoos and thick glasses, lavishly cater to your every need. Echoing throughout, the live jazz tunes add to the unique allure of the ambiance. For the budget-minded, the banquet menu offers a delicious whole chicken fricassee in bread sauce to feast on. But the fiery thrill of the kimchi gratin is not included. So, if your palate is up for a spicy adventure, do request it as an additional side. A truly magnifique experience awaits you.
Contact Information:restauranthubert.com
Booking Details: Open for walk-ins during dinner; dinner reservations are accepted for parties of six or more. The finest seating is near the stage.
Cost Indicator: £££
Hubert
Quay has long been a cherished dining location for Sydneysiders, boasting more than 15 years of splendid service, exquisite cuisine, and breathtaking vistas. Positioned against the awe-inspiring sceneries of The Opera House and Sydney Harbour, obtaining a reservation might challenge your patience as bookings should be made a minimum of three months in advance. However, the unforgettable experience it provides is unmatched throughout the city, making every celebration uniquely special. You'll be treated to a six or 10-course gastronomic journey, featuring delights like smoked pig jowl, fan shell razor clam, shiitake, and sea cucumber crackling. These delicacies undoubtedly attest to Chef Peter Gilmore's refined handling of uncommon ingredients, which remain as enticing as the iconic view, if not more.
Contact Information: quay.com.au
Advanced Reservations: Imperative
Price Range: Premium
Quay Bennelong
Present within one of the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House, Quay Bennelong offers an exquisite dining environment reminiscent of the interior of a majestic whale. The venue is a superb choice for both a quick pre-performance cocktail accompanied by a serving of a dozen oysters at the Bennelong Bar or a leisurely evening spent indulging in a top-rated three-course gourmet Sydney menu. Their award-winning dessert, a pavlova meticulously crafted to mimic the familiar silhouette of the mini Opera House, is a renowned Australian delicacy that is an absolute must-try.
Contact:bennelong.com.au
Reservations: Highly recommended. The prime seating spot offers a scenic view of both Sydney Harbour and The Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Prices: £££
Bennelong Fratelli Paradiso
This is one of Sydney's most beloved Italian haunts. Frat Pas (as it's affectionately called) is a dimly lit, bustling trattoria with leather booths, a whimsical mural of all things Italian, and metallic mid-century inspired lighting. There are 12 Italian classics on the blackboard, a tight wine list and strong, friendly service. The ragu pasta is as heartwarming as the atmosphere, but, if you prefer something a little lighter, try the spaghetti with a whole, split scampi. Come for lunch or dinner. It's wonderful, always.
Contact:fratelliparadiso.com
Reservations: Recommended
Prices:££
Spotlight on Oncore by Clare Smyth at Fratelli Paradiso
Marking her first venture on Australian soil, Clare Smyth's eagerly anticipated culinary masterpiece, Oncore, was indeed a labor of love and patience. The road to its establishment was fraught with natural disasters and worldwide health crises, each one delaying her planned sequel to the renowned Notting Hill's Core. But the wait has proved worthwhile. Rising majestically on the 26th floor of the Crown Casino complex in Barangaroo, Oncore tantalizes with its lavish yet welcoming interior, all set against a truly inspiring cityscape. While much of the menu reflects its London roots (yes, potato and roe is an accessible luxury here), the execution is undeniably Australian- a testament to the rich local produce. Guiding the kitchen brigade is the experienced hand of Kiwi-born master chef, Alan Stuart.
Contact: crownsydney.com.au
Reservation Policy: Crucial
Price Range: High End
Deep Dive into the Cult Phenomenon of Gelato Messina
At Gelato Messina, fan loyalty is such that it more closely resembles a dedicated cult than a mere ice cream parlour. In keeping with the ever-evolving palate of their patrons, the expert 'technicians' whip up six new flavours every week, available for that week only. That said, there are signature scoops that are always ready to be devoured. The white chocolate and salted caramel combo tops their best-sellers, but the real show-stealer, in my opinion, is the apple pie. The delicious fusion of home-baked apple pie and creamy house gelato is absolutely irresistible, and certainly adds a unique twist to the traditional dessert.
Contact: gelatomessina.com
Price Indicator: Affordable
Reservation Status: Open to walk-ins only
A Culinary Experience at Gelato Messina Café in Sydney
One cannot truly grasp the essence of Café Sydney without acknowledging its magnificent view. Perched ideally for a perfect panorama of Sydney Harbour, the stunning sight of the house, and the emblematic bridge, the café's spacious terrace presents the most spectacular vista in the city. Known for its grandiose seafood platter, Café Sydney serves a lavish assortment of scampi, prawns, marron, Moreton Bay bugs, crab, and oysters, presented artistically for AUD $160 (£88). The indulgence doesn't end with the main course. The milk chocolate cremeux with marscapone mousse, Tia Maria and vanilla ice cream is not just a dessert but a grand finale to a sumptuous evening.
To enhance your dining experience, Café Sydney also features an impressive wine list boasting a variety of hand-selected vintages from the world's finest wineries. Overlooking the water, this dining spot has become a celebrated venue for both locals and tourists alike.
Contact: cafesydney.com
Price Range:High
Booking:Highly Advised
The Gourmet Spot: Café Sydney Porteño
Experience the true taste of Argentina in Sydney at Porteño, where the lively and impeccably attired staff, boasting waistcoats and bow ties, whisk sumptuous barbecue share dishes across the monochrome floors. Among the backdrop of antique soccer memorabilia and a vibrant fire pit, delight in slow-cooked full-bodied meals straight off the asado, served meltingly soft on your plate. The smoked provoleta greets you with a tantalising sizzle and fragrant steam. Imbibe the robust flavors of the predominantly South American wines, and partake in innovative cocktails with a hint of the unexpected, like the banana-laced old-fashioned. Importantly, while Porteño primarily offers meat-centric dishes, it also impresses with a fantastic range of seafood and vegetarian fare.
Get in touch: porteno.com.au
Booking a table: Highly Advised
Price Range: Moderate
Bakery on Bourke Street - Porteño
Allow the line huddling past the entryway not to deter you; it swiftly decimates and the delectable cuisine and aromatic coffee are absolutely worth the slight postponements. This compact bakery has become your must-visit spot for an early breakfast with a croissant paired with coffee, assembling picnic essentials, grabbing a quick bite at lunch, or to indulge in a delightful treat in the afternoon. They've earned their fame with their dense sourdough bread. Amongst other favourite options, they offer a flavourful brisket pie, a pork and fennel sausage roll, and a mouth-watering chocolate tart. It certainly meets a food gourmets standards and is within reach as well, with additional branches in Potts Point, Alexandria, Neutral Bay, North Sydney, and Marrickville for those not in Surry Hills.
Contact us here: bourkestreetbakery.com.au
Reservation: We are currently accepting walk-ins only
Pricing: £
Bourke Street Bakery Great Aunty Three
Aunty Three is the love child of Michael Le and his wife Mai who, after a decade of working in the corporate sector, decided to turn their attention to their first great love, Vietnamese food. Inspired by the street food of their native country, and with Le's grandmother Yi Ba (Vietnamese for Aunty Three) as their culinary spirit guide, the couple produces restorative pho, banh mi and some of Sydney's freshest rice paper rolls – the Peking-style roast duck with mint, lettuce and rice noodles is a crowd-pleaser.
Contact:greatauntythree.com
Reservations: Walk-ins only
Prices: £
The renowned Great Aunty Three Pellegrino 2000
Seated at the bar, savoring a crisp dry martini, you'll firstly see this bustling trattoria as a simple neighbourhood spot for authentic Italian cuisine. However, upon meticulously examining the menu, you'll soon uncover the extraordinary culinary magic of respected Aussie chef, Daniel Pepperell. Your taste journey commences with a tender piece of focaccia accompanied by truffle butter that sparks a wave of euphoria. Following this, indulge in their standout dish - a prawn raviolo wrapped delicately in wonton and generously bathed in a rich, brown butter sauce. When it comes to beverage selection, the wine virtuoso Andy Tyson is your trusted guide. Allow him to present you with his curated wine list and persuade you to try his 'limongello' creation — a titillating, liqueur-infused wedge that is essentially gourmet jello shots.
Contact: pellegrino2000.com
Reservations: Obligatory
Prices: Premium Range
Pellegrino 2000 Le Foote
You can, and should, get lost in Le Foote. A friend once spent an entire afternoon in the cosy front bar before discovering the grand dining room on the other side of the cobblestoned courtyard and settling in for a steak. The circa 1870 building has meant many things to many people, over what, by Australian standards, has been an epic career in hospitality (it overlooks one of the oldest sandstone walls in the country). There are no safer hands for a building of such standing than those of co-owner, and self confessed history-of-hospitality geek — Anton Forte, whose Sydney restaurants (see: Hubert) have become institutions. Take a place at the bar for a ‘two-sip’ Negroni or settle in for a long lunch (that might turn into an early dinner) of Mediterranean-inspired dishes cooked over the beastly Josper grill in the “garden”, where a hand-painted Etruscan-style mural, commissioned especially for the space, frames the audaciously beautiful dining room.
Contact:swillhouse.com/venues/le-foote
Reservations: Not possible for the bar; Essential for the dining room
Prices: £££
The Unassuming Clam Bar
It's easy to mistake Clam Bar for your average steakhouse, what with its snug wooden walls, intricate diamond-patterned coffered ceilings, and intricately laid parquetry flooring. However, this extraordinary fine-dining establishment marries classic elegance with a touch of punk rebellion. Its compelling cocktail list alternates between timeless New York favorites and the kitschy vibrancy of 1980s-inspired libations, including a unique blue daiquiri crafted from spirulina-enhanced rum. The food journey commences on a luxurious note, presenting a lavish raw seafood bar boasting a plentiful selection of caviar, prawn cocktails, and endless oysters. Steak lovers will delight in the three distinct cuts of bone-cooked meat prepared on the powerful Josper grill. But it's the extensive variety of side dishes that threaten to outshine the main course — particularly the delectable beef fat potatoes and the comforting macaroni alla vodka. One taste and you'll be planning your next visit.
Contact: clambarsydney.com
Booking Details: Reservations are a must
Price Range: Premium
Clam Bar
It's a well-known fact that Jasmins has the best Lebanese food in Sydney. Located in the Western Sydney suburb of Lakemba, it's out of the way, but if creamy hummus, smoky babaganoosh and perfectly crisp falafel balls are your thing, it's worth the travel time. The interiors are gaudy: neon lighting, faux marble and ostentatiously gilded murals, but it's the food people travel for, not the décor. Try one of the mixed plates to sample a few of the dishes: grilled meats, salty and sour pickles, tabouleh and fouleh are best washed down with Jasmins' signature homemade lemonade.
Contact:jasminsrestaurant.com.au
Reservations: Walk-ins only
Prices:£
Experience the Taste of Bondi at Bills
Renowned for his pure and invigorating culinary style, Bill Granger has finally extended his gastronomic flair to Bondi with Jasmins Bondi Beach Bills. The neighbourhood, which practically breathes Granger's culinary ethos, eagerly received this new haven. The interior of Bills reflects the same aesthetic with its grouped eccentric artwork, chic light fixtures, and sophisticated marble-topped tables. Granger’s legendary reputation extends to his unrivalled breakfast dishes, particularly his creamy scrambled eggs and mouth-watering ricotta hotcakes accented with banana and honeycomb butter, placing them almost on an iconic pedestal. A personal favourite amongst the locals is Bills' savoury Bloody Mary, an accepted morning beverage in the effortlessly cool Bondi. No judgment here, all in the spirit of Bondi.
Contact:bills.com.au
Reservations: Advisable
Cost: ££
Bills Coogee Coogee Pavilion
Spread over three enormous levels, Coogee Pavilion claims to celebrate all the good things in life – friendship, family, fun and food. And it's big enough to accommodate all of them. The ground floor combines family-friendly food — burgers and fish and chips — with a more sophisticated seafood offering. Why should parents go without? There is a spectacular family zone with table tennis, an oversized magnetic scrabble board and a general 'go nuts' kids' space; if you're not in the mood for chaos, avoid it. Up a level is fine-diner, Mimi’s — where you can sample caviar bumps from the roving cart — and lively tapas bar, Una Mas. The rooftop has four indoor and outdoor bars, Middle Eastern fare from Jimmy’s Chicken, and show-stopping ocean views.
Contact:merivale.com.au
Reservations: Recommended
Prices: ££
Coogee Pavilion Paddington 10 William St
Almost everything about 10 William St feels like a wine bar. The dark lighting, the cramped tables, the narrow converted terrace, the speed at which the waitstaff delivers strong negronis. What sets it apart is the menu: the rustic Italian fare is as reliably good as the mostly-Italian wine list is long. The menu is designed to share — if you're in a group, order the whipped 'bottarga' pretzel times two. It’s what put this petite place on the map.
Contact:10williamst.com.au
Reservations: Walk-ins only. Best table: Upstairs, if you want more (read, any) elbow room.
Prices:££
10 William St Ursula’s
A meal at Ursula’s should start with chef and co-owner Phil Wood’s signature White Negroni. He perfected it during Victoria’s interminable lockdown before moving to Sydney to open his first solo restaurant. Wood is one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs, and, at Ursula’s, he turns his classic European cooking techniques to uniquely Australian flavours. Many of the dishes here are steeped in history, including my favourite, the coral trout with warrigal greens. The dish is inspired by what is thought to be one of James Cook’s first meals upon settling in Botany Bay and the European settlers first experience of Australian bush food through Aboriginal contact.
For inquiries and bookings, visit ursulas.com.au.
It's crucial to book your spot in advance.
Rate: High-End
Chow Queen of Manly
Imagine relishing a splendid meal right next to the sea, that gives you an urge to savour the ocean's delights. This is exactly what Chef Patrick Friesen achieved by focusing on providing a variety of fresh seafood. He pays tribute to traditional Cantonese meals that are beloved by locals, including particular favorites like honey-coated prawns and extraordinary fried rice. The well-known Queen Chow from Enmore renowned for its delicious dumplings has now brought that fame over the bridge, with their mouthwatering dumplings featuring on the Manly menu as well.
To know more or reserve a table, check out merivale.com.au.
We recommend booking in advance for the best seaside view.
Price Range: Moderate
